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<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT
size=2>Dear <FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT face=Arial>Lady
Elysandre,</FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>I am a
ring-thegn to House Mountain-Gate and was mentored by Mistress Tessa. I'm glad
to have someone else who soaked up her great and gentle wisdom residing within
the fair Barony of Elfsea.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>What
one of the most important things that any group, society, family, or community
must have is a psychologically SAFE environment. We must all feel like we
can express ourselves and ask our questions without the fear of rejection or
reprisal.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>This
is a PARAMOUNT issue in most SCA groups and has to be maintained by the
leadership of the group. If the people fear or resent their leaders,
whether they are Nobles, Peers, or officers, they will not believe that they are
part of this community, this family we have. We must all feel SAFE before
we can take ownership of this community.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Even
leaders need to feel SAFE. Yes, I'm shouting, because I feel that often
our Nobles, Peers and officers feel like targets for someone else to come and
take a potshot at. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Ask
yourself, when was the last time you thanked one of these leaders for their hard
work? Do you think that a brass hat, a white belt, a pretty scroll is
enough? They are merely symbols- albeit powerful ones- that represent
someone's thanks for hard work, skill, or talent. </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Each
and every person in the group can affirm and appreciate each other,
whether they are in the kitchen washing dishes, sitting troll
throughout the night, spending hours going to a peerage circles, or on
the phone for four hours a night dealing with a Crown or the populace on an
"issue".</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>We all
have gifts to bring to the table, but we will only bring it if we feel SAFE
and appreciated. Everyone has value.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff
size=2>Thank you for your wisdom Lady
Elysandre .</FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>In
Service,</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=084565223-23072003><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2>Despotissa Xene Theriane, OL, OP</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Tahoma
size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> elfsea-bounces@ansteorra.org
[mailto:elfsea-bounces@ansteorra.org]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Candace
Baker<BR><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, July 23, 2003 7:30 AM<BR><B>To:</B>
rjt@acm.org; Barony of Elfsea<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Elfsea] My "ideal" Baron
& Baroness of Elfsea are:<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV>I would like to commend Caelin on asking his question. If more
people asked similar questions, Elfsea would not be in its
current situation. I was once told that all great leaders will ask
questions, They will consult with their officers, past leaders and their
populace. Sometimes it is easy to think that everyone should know the
answer to such simple questions, but everyone has a somewhat different
answer and it is this sharing of ideas that promotes unity
and cooperation. I have watched many Barons and Baronesses and
crowns and I think that the things that Dana listed are all very important and
very true. However, I would like to add that I would like the new B
& B to take two things into consideration. 1. Starting to revive the
old practice of mentoring within the group, taking someone under a wing and
helping them grow to be a vital part of the SCA. I am not saying they
should do it all, but the populace w! ill follow their example. To this
day Simon and Tessa hold a special place in my heart as they showed me the
ropes. 2. Encourage the officers of this barony to recruit from
and listen to their populace. Being a good administrator means you
utilize your resources. There appears to be a long time trend that needs
to be broken of officers thinking they have to do everything and excluding the
populace, then they complain about not getting any help. This is not a
slight against the current officers, this has been a long time problem and one
of the reasons a lot of old timers don't play locally anymore. There are
many wonderful talented people in this Barony who would love to help with
various projects if they are just given the chance. So I say to whomever
the B & B are, get to know <STRONG>ALL</STRONG> of your populace and
utilize them. I know this was long, but I needed to get it off my
chest.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Lady Elysandre Gernier<BR><BR></DIV>
<DIV>
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